Eddie was happy, there was no other word for it. Happy. It was a new feeling for him, the last few years had been filled with a general feeling of discontent. A feeling that something was missing, that he was looking searching for direction, plan, cause. And if he wouldn't have been so blind he would have realized that what he was looking for was Janet. In hindsight he felt so foolish. His father had told him, but he didn't really listen and he never imagined that he would have been right.

"So, are you freaking out yet?" Eddie asked as he gently rolled off of Janet, pulling her on to his side, wrapping his arm around her. Janet thought for a moment, resting her head in the crook of his arm before she answered. She was feeling safe and happy and loved. She couldn't muster a freak out if she tried.

"Actually, no. I am too relaxed and happy to freak out. Ask me in an hour."

"Don't freak out ok, this was the best morning of my life and I would like it freak out free."

"The best morning of your life huh?"

"Yes, you are that good Miss. Meadows."

Janet started to get off the bed, wrapping the top sheet around her and Eddie grabbed her hand.

"Stay with me at least until the alarm goes off?"

"Bathroom, morning sickness rears its ugly head." Eddie frowned got up and followed her.

"How many more weeks until this is over?" Janet moaned from the bathroom floor.

"Four more Janet." The wrenching finally stopped and Janet brushed her teeth and made Eddie leave so she could go to the bathroom. She emerged a few minutes later and laid back down on the bed next to a very naked and not shy Eddie.

"Feel better?" He wrapped his arm around her and gently stroked the tops of her shoulder with the tips of his fingers.

"Yeah, so much for happy and relaxed." Janet groaned and Eddie grimaced

"I can make you happy and relaxed again if you like." he asked suggestively.

"Eddie, no we have to go to work." He pulled at the sheet around her and exposed her breast, grasping in in his hand. "Eddie, I am serious, no. Work. Monday. And I am still feeling kinda sea sick. So no." Eddie removed his hand dejected.

"You're working lunch shift today right?"

"Yeah, actually I wanted to talk to you about something. I am off Wednesday and Thursday, I was thinking about going to Providence and telling my grandparents about the baby."

"Ok, that's a good idea, I will let Nick know."

"Why does Nick need to know I am going to Providence?"

"Well he needs to know that WE are going to Providence."

"Eddie, I am going to tell them the truth, I can't lie to them." Janet couldn't bare the thought of looking Gram and Gramps in the face and telling them the truth but she couldn't lie either.

"Janet, we are going to tell them that you and I have been friends for years, we are in love and we are having a baby, that's all they need to know."

"Eddie."

"Janet. That's all they need to know."

"They are going to grill you. The are going to want you to marry me."

"I know, I can take it. We both agree that marriage is not for us right?

"On that we most certainly agree."

"Good, so that's what we tell them." Eddie stomach grumbled, he couldn't remember the last time he ate.

"You hungry?" He asked rubbing his belly.

"Starving."

"Bagels?"

"From Hot Bagel or Frankie's?"

"Frankie's, without question."

"Sounds good to me. Do you want to shower first." Janet asked pulling the sheet around her tighter. Eddie smirked.

"Meadows, we are both going to shower first. Come on." Eddie jumped off the bed and extended his hand to Janet. She hesitated, Eddie knew he had to nip this bashful body image thing in the bud. "You might as well get over it now Janet, I have seen you naked and have no complaints. Not a single one. Every part of you makes me hard and it's been that way for years. So lets get a move on." Janet wanted to tell him no, she felt a twinge of panic, but he was right he had already seen her naked. She took a deep breath, stood up from the bed leaving the sheet behind and grabbed Eddie's hand.

"That's my girl. I hope you like it hot."

"Oh my God I love bagels." Janet moaned as she bit in to her egg everything with scallion cream cheese. Eddie chuckled, already through the first half of his buttered Pumpernickel.

"So Janet, what's with the tattoo?" Eddie asked looking over his coffee cup. Janet cringed, not wanting to explain it.

"You saw that did you?"

"I saw everything." Eddie tore a huge bite out of his bagel, smile on his face.

"I have had it for years. I got it when I was sixteen."

"Were you a bad girl before you came to the ridge?" Eddie raised his eyebrows.

"Um, sometimes but rarely. The night I got the tattoo, was right after my mom died, a few days later. I knew I was leaving all my friends in Providence, so we went out and got tattoos from my friend's older brother."

"It's a bird right?"

"Yes a sparrow."

"On your ass, hip area?"

"Yes. We all got different things on the same space"

"Your not going to tell me what it means are you?"

"Nope, sorry." Eddie wanted to push it but Janet had secrets, things he wanted to know but she would never tell him.

"So, we need a hotel in Providence right?" He asked changing the subject.

"Yeah we do but I already booked it, so we are good to go." Eddie nodded taking a sip of his coffee.

"Ok good. Oh shit, I knew this was too good of a morning." Eddie said gruffly

"What? What's wrong?"

"Ray just walked in. I am so not in the mood for his shit today. He has been trying to under cut us and poach our landscaping and window customers ever since Hannah dumped his ass."

"What I didn't know that? I told you he is vindictive." Janet made eye contact with Ray as he made his way to their table.

"Well, good morning Janet. You look nice today" Ray said trying to be slick. "Latekka you look like shit as usual."

"Gee Ray, thanks. Why don't you just go back to where you came from. Janet and I were enjoying ourselves."

"Seriously Ray, not today." Janet looked at him dead in the eye, he could sense she was not in a joking mood and that she was upset.

"Everything ok Janet?" Eddie was surprised by the real concern in his voice "Lauche isn't giving you any more trouble?"

"No Ray, not Matt. But you, you are a cause for concern." Janet crossed her arms against her chest.

"Me?" He said with mock horror.

"Big Cat , I am losing the little patience I have left." Eddie growled "GO AWAY!" Ray opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it, seeing the worried look on Janet's face. He turned and walked away.

"Eddie, you need to control your temper, you look like you want to beat the crap out of him."

"I do want to beat the crap out of him Janet."

"Well its a good thing you are a grown man and realize that fighting is for YOUNG men who heal quickly." Janet picked up his coffee and took a small sip.

"Hey, caffeine is a no." Eddie scolded grabbing the cup out of her hand.

"I know but I miss it, you have no idea how much." Eddie smiled

"Finish your bagel you can walk me to the shop and drive my truck home."

"I can drive your F-150, your brand new baby. Really?"

"Yes you can drive my truck, I trust you." Janet smiled, excited. "I can trust you cant I?"

"Yes Eddie, jeeze."

All the boys were in Best Friend Windows that morning, sitting around talking as Eddie and Janet walked in.

"Hey, there he is." Ikey shouted out "Morning Janet."

"I was wondering if/when your ugly mug was going to show up here?" Nick said smugly. "Morning Janet"

"We brought you guys some bagels and butter." Eddie threw the bag down on his desk, ignoring Nick's tone.

"What goes on Janet you feeling better?"

"Honestly, not so much Owen. The morning sickness is all day, every day sickness." Janet frowned. "Tell Allison how sorry I was we couldn't make it. You, Allison and the kids should come to our house on Sunday and I will cook." Eddie smiled when she said our house.

"She understands Janet, no worries. And that sounds great. I have heard you make a mean meatloaf if I can be so bold to make a request."

"Meatloaf it is! You guys can all come over." Janet said scanning the room." The Sox are playing so… Actually you know what we should do it at Gelson so Phil can be there too." Eddie cocked his head looking at her, touched that she would think about Phil. "How does that sound?" The guys all nodded in agreement "Ok, Gelson, Saturday, Sox, meatloaf."

"You know that the Sox are playing and you are good to cook for us?" Ikey asked as Janet nodded yes. "You hit the Jackpot Eddie, damn it I should have asked you out when I had the chance." Ikey pointed at Eddie and shook his head as the guys laughed.

"Cork it Ikey." Eddie groaned.

"Is he serious?" Janet asked shocked and Eddie just nodded yes. "Well Ikey you snooze you loose I guess. Maybe that is a lesson to you, stop beating around the bush and ask Darcy from the hardware store out already."

"How do YOU know I like Darcy from the hardware store?"

"Uh…Darcy told me, last month when we met up for lunch." Janet chuckled.

"She knows?" Ikey groaned

"Everybody knows Ike" Owen added patting him on the shoulder.

"Ok, boys, I got a few things to do before I head into work. Why don't you all come in for lunch today? Ronnie, your favorite sandwich is the special of the day."

"Really Janet. Thanks" Ronnie smiled at her "Congrats on the baby by the way."

"Thanks Ronnie."

Eddie walked her to the door and kissed her gently, he started to pull away but Janet grabbed the back of his neck, crashing her lips to his and kissed him like they were all alone, biting his bottom lip as she pulled away.

"I will see you later Eddie." She walked out the door leaving him there speechless, he turned to his friends who were all smiling.

"I told you Eddie, the hormones are awesome."

Janet pulled Eddie's truck into the parking lot of Big Cat office, she knew Eddie was not going to like it but she was going to do it anyway.

"Hey Janet. I had a feeling I would be seeing you again today." Ray said with a smile on his face.

"Ray, we need to talk in private."

"Private private or Pact private?" Janet smiled at his use of the word Pact, something that they had used when they were teenagers.

"Pact private." Janet answered firmly. Ray raised his eyebrows.

"Ok, step into my office." she followed him and he closed the door behind her.

"Ray, you need to stop poaching Best Friend Window customers."

"Seriously Janet, you are calling Pact for Latekka? Come on, I know you guys are dating and all but really. He needs you to fight his battles?"

"No Ray he doesn't but here's the thing… I am having a baby…" Ray's mouth dropped and then formed a small smile.

"No Shit, you and Latekka?" Janet nodded.

"And you see, if you destroy his business it effects me and our baby and I know you don't want that. Its bad enough that I have no health insurance, and Eddie's insurance is limited and we have no plans to get married, you know what it's like to start a small business so if you could please just back the fuck off." Ray looked at her intently and nodded. "I am sorry Hannah hurt you, I really am. You didn't deserve it and I get that you are angry but please let it go so we can all live our lives ok."

"Ok, Janet. I hear you. I will back the fuck off." He leaned back on his desk and crossed his arms against his chest. "I am happy for you. I really am. I think you could do better then Eddie but to each is own I guess."

"You could just leave it at the I am happy for you could you?" Ray scrunched up his face pretending he was deep in thought.

"Nope, not my way."

"And Ray, I was calling Pact on the baby news, I don't want anyone to know until I am out of my first trimester. " Ray nodded as Janet walked out the door.

"Hey Janet! You know Matt is going to flip when he hears this right? He still thinks he is going to get you back."

"I know he is. He cant really think that can he?"

"I don't speak to him as you know, but that's what Mikey Wells said. So be aware." Janet nodded.

"Thanks Ray"

It was the last day of senior year and a big blow out was planned up at crystal lake. Janet didn't really want to go, but Hannah twisted her arm.

"Come on Janet, it's the last time we will all be together before Nick leaves for Europe. We need to party like rock stars."

"Honestly Hannah, they are your friends not mine, none of my friends even know about the existence of this party.

"Janet, you know everyone. Come on please." Hannah actually got on her knees and begged.

"Ok Hannah get up, I'll go. Jesus have you no shame woman?!"

"No, and I got what I wanted." Hannah smiled very self satisfied.

Janet leaned against the hood of her charger nursing a beer as she watched the party unfold in front of her. Hannah was dancing with Nick, Christine was fighting with Big Cat, Owen was hanging out by the keg with Ikey and Phil deep in discussion about some movie they couldn't wait to see, various cheerleaders and football players were scattered around laughing, dancing, participating in various activities.

"Hannah said you were coming but I didn't believe it." Eddie said as he walked up to her sitting in the roof of her car. "You don't usually partake in these kind of events."

"Well, Eddie I wasn't really missing much was I?" She extended her arm out to the party.

"I guess not, this is pretty much as good as it gets."

"You know what's so funny, you "cool" kids are lame, Darcy, Lina, and I went to Boston last weekend with fake ID's and went to a few Harvard bars, we danced we drank. It was one for the record books."

"No shit? Where did you get the fake ID's?" Eddie asked impressed.

"I know a guy from Providence."

"You know a guy." Eddie scoffed. "Hannah didn't go?"

"Hannah is spending every possible minute with Nick before he goes off to Europe without her, she is convinced that he is not coming back.

"He's coming back." Eddie grumbled as only he could "This is his home, we are going into business together. He is coming back" He said again trying to convince himself.

"I hope you're right there guy because I shudder to think what would happen if he doesn't"

"Where's your boyfriend tonight?" Eddie hated Brian, luckily her didn't have to hang out with him very often but the few times he did, man was he annoying. He was one of those pretentious Duf douched bags, quoting Shakespeare and wearing loafers without socks.

"Brian? He went back to New Jersey for the summer, got a job working on the Shore."

"He's coming back though?"

"Yeah, his second year at the Duf and I start my first, its exciting." Eddie just nodded. "Where is prom queen tonight?"

"She's around here somewhere…"

"Trouble in the kingdom?"

"You know Rory, she is spoiled rotten thinks the sun rises and sets for her."

"You know I hadn't noticed." Janet smirked as she finished her beer. "You call her spoiled I call her a bitch." Eddie laughed loudly nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, that's a better word for it."

"She is over there by the twins, glairing at us. I think you best be going." Eddie looked in Rory's direction, her eyes were laser focused on him.

"Yeah, I guess so. I will see you around then Meadows.

"Sure thing Latekka."

Janet walked to the keg and refilled her red solo cup with Bud. She spoke to Phil for a few minutes before she went back to her safe place, her Charger. She saw Rory walking towards her. This should be good Janet thought to herself.

"Well hey there Janet the Planet." Janet exhaled sharply

"Really Rory, really?" Janet asked disgusted. "I mean it was your shining moment, I get it. You were clever for sixty seconds nearly two years ago and you want to bask in the glory of it but really." Janet's dig only served to make Rory more angry.

"You think your something special don't you Janet. They way you are sitting here on your fat ass, looking at everyone. Green with envy that you are not one of the cool kids, green with envy that I am dating Eddie. Yeah you think you are special alright."

"I don't think I am special Rory, and you know what I don't think you are either. I have had enough of your shit, from my first day here you have tried t make me miserable and you are just pissed that I never let you. Now would you please just go away, I mean don't you have to blow Lauche before Eddie realizes you are missing." Rory looked like Janet slapped her in the face.

"Keep your voice down." Rory said thru gritted teeth.

"Oh you want me to keep my voice down, you had no problems yelling out Janet the Planet a few minutes ago did ya."

"Hey ladies." Interrupting the rumpus. "What goes on?" He couldn't understand why Rory was always starting shit with Janet. She was so nice, and friendly and sweet. But for whatever reason Rory made it her mission to try and get under Janet's skin to no avail.

"Rory, why don't you tell Eddie what goes on?" Rory looked at her with wide eyes, pleading. "No, don't feel like talking so much now, well Eddie I was just telling Rory what a fucking useless bitch she was and that I hoped she was stocked up on her Valtrex prescriptions. And by proxy you should too." Janet patted Eddie on the shoulder before she turned on her heel and stormed towards Hannah who had a smile on her face hearing everything that just went down.

"Well done Janet. " Hannah cheered "Come dance with me" The rest of the night went on and Janet danced and laughed with Hannah and despite her reservations she had a great time.

"Janet, Janet, Janet."

"Hey Big Cat." Janet chuckled.

"How drunk are you?"

"Not drunk enough to sleep with you, if that's why you're asking." Janet had stopped drinking hours ago.

"Well shit!" Janet laughed at him.

"Aren't you a little old to be hanging out at these parties?"

"Ouch Janet, ouch. Christine wanted to come, one last hurrah with her class mates." Janet nodded. "But she has left me high and dry it would appear."

"You too hate each other I don't know why you are together. "

"She is great in bed."

"I heard you gave it to Rory pretty good tonight."

"I might have."

"Good she had it coming. God she is so fucking annoying."

"That she is… well I am going to head out. You need a lift?"

"Nahhh, I am going to catch a ride with Ribby Burns."

"Ray, Ribby is loaded and high. Come on I will take you home. Seriously."

"Jesus Janet, its fine we are going to drive down to the football field and hang out."

"Ray, not happening. You are coming with me get in the car. I am going to find Ribby. Ray nodded, "Big O, Ikey you need a lift?" Janet called out

"No Janet, Nick was our designated driver tonight." Janet wandered around looking for Ribby, he was a baseball player, and got his nick name for his RBI's.

Janet walked over to Hannah. "Ok, I am heading out. This was fun that's for making me come."

"I am so glad you came. You taking Big Cat home?" Hannah made a face like she smelled something foul.

"Yeah, he is wasted and Christine left him here. Ribby was going to drive him but he is wasted himself. Do you guys know where he is?"

"I know, I tried to get his keys but he was not having it."

"Well Nick try again."

"You guys talking about Ribby?" Ikey asked "Cause he just tore out of here."

"Well that's just great." Janet said exasperated "Ok guys, night!" Janet walked away towards her car.

"You ready Ray?" He was passed out in the passenger side of her car. "Yeah you're ready.

Janet was just starting her shift at Sully's, when Ray walked in at sat at the bar.

"Hey Sully, can I borrow Janet for a few minutes." Janet looked at him confused.

"That's up to Janet, Big Cat."

"Ray is everything ok?"

"Yes, follow me." Ray lead her to the booth in the back and put a stack of papers in front of her. "Just sign the bottom where I have the X."

"Ray, what are these?" Janet shuffled thru the papers, gasping when she realized what he was offering her.

"Janet, you sign those and you are an employee of Cataldo builders, full insurance package. You come on when you can, you balance out my books, file contracts and such and when you can't be on your feet here at Sully's anymore, you have a way to earn a living." Janet sat there stunned, tears breaking the corners of her eyes.

"Ray, this is... I don't even know what to say. Thank you." Ray smiled at her, nodding.

"You're welcome and honestly it was nothing."

"Ray, it is something." Janet read through the papers and signed a weight lifted off of her.

"Maybe one day we will be even."

"Ray, I am not keeping track."

"Well I am, Janet." She got up from the booth, standing there waiting for him to join her. She wrapped her arms around him taking Ray by surprise.

"Ray thank you."

"Do does this mean I can keep poaching Best Friend Window accounts?" He said only half kidding.

"No Ray, that's not what this means." Janet chuckled.

"What goes on Big Cat?" Eddie asked standing behind them, Janet jumped from the tone of his voice. She turned to see anger in his eyes and his buddies not far behind.

"Eddie, relax, Ray just did an amazing thing for us."

"Did he now?"

"Yes, he did. He hired me, and now I have health insurance." Eddie looked at her confused.

"Wait you told HIM?" Eddie could not conceal the shock in his voice.

"Yes, I did, Ray and I had a nice talk today about poaching didn't we Ray." It clicked in Eddies head and Ray nodded.

"Congrats and all that Latekka, don't fuck it up."

"Ray!"

"Janet, back to work, this food is not going to deliver itself." Sully called out. Janet looked at Ray then Eddie.

"Behave."

"Ray, tell me why?" Eddie said trying to figure him out

"Why what?"

"Why you are doing this for Janet?"

"Ahh, she didn't tell you did she. She can keep a secret that one." Eddie tightened, at what he was implying "Calm down QB, its not what you are thinking. Janet saved my life. You remember the night Ribby Burns died, I was suppose to be in his car. Because of her I wasn't so think of this a small repayment of my debt to her." Ray sat back down in his booth and opened his menu dismissing Eddie as he turned and walked back to his friends.

"What was that all about?" Nicky asked

"Ray doing something good for the right reasons I think." Eddie replied shaking his head in disbelief. "I am starving lets order."